Alpine is set to join the grid in 2025 with Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan at the helm. The French racing team announced in early January that Franco Colapinto will also be joining the team as a test and reserve driver. However, Alpine team boss Oliver Oakes denies that this puts extra pressure on the debuting Doohan.
Franco Colapinto replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams in the second half of the 2024 season. The Argentine immediately made an impression by scoring points in his second race, in Azerbaijan. However, due to disappointing performances and multiple crashes towards the end of the year, Colapinto’s market value decreased. Nevertheless, Alpine decided to add the driver to their racing team.
Options
With the arrival of Colapinto, there could be extra pressure on the debuting Jack Doohan. The Australian reportedly has a hefty performance clause in his contract. However, Alpine team boss Oliver Oakes says that the speculations about Doohan’s future were exaggerated. “Some of the things the keyboard warriors wrote about Jack were a bit harsh,” the team boss tells in the James Allen on F1 podcast.
“It’s not about putting him under pressure, it’s more about giving the team options,” Oakes continues. “Many people rely on a driver performing every weekend and we need to ensure we have the best drivers in the cockpit, not just for now, but also for the future.”
